Electric-car-controlling system.



PAT'BNTED AUG. 6, 190% 0. PJRBBSE. ELECTRIC GAR GONTROLLIYNGYSYSTEVQLAPPLICATION FILED 4UG11$$19Q2v WITNESSES iinrrs sirarns PA l l lllh lhllfilllli I CHARLES I. BREESE, OF NOR-FOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO HALLSIGNAL OOMPANY A CORPORATION OF- MAINE.

ELE CTR1C-CAR-CONTROLLING SYSTEM.

no. a 62,442

Specification of Letters latezit.

Patented Aug. 6, 1907.

'l'oel/ 'II'IIUHI it may concern:

lie it known that I, CHARLES I. Bunusn, a citizen of the lInitt-dStates, and a resident of Norfolk, county of Norfolk, and Shite ol'Virginia, have invented certrain new and useful linprovemenls inlllectric-(ar- ,ontrolling Systems, of which the following is aspecilicalion. I

This invention relates to means for controlling electric cars, bycontrolling the amount of current led to I0 the said curs, nnd itlnisfor its object, to so control the current led to the motors of the canas to autonmticnlly prevent the cars from colliding.

The invention consists, first, in providing a plurality ol'hodiesilniving dii'l'ercnt resistances connected hetween the feed wireand the contact wire, and menus for controlling the circuits of the saidresistances t'rom dill'erent points The invention also consists inproviding a contact wire having a plurality of contact sections, andplu- V rality of resistances connected to each of the said sections andmeans located in other sections for controlling the resistance liodies.

The invention also consists in providing means for controlling theamount olcurrent led to adjoining sec tions, hy the presence oi a car inany one of the given sect ions,

The invcntioirulso consists in providing in addition to the controllingmeans just described, a means lor preventing any change in the flow olthe current to any given section, until the circuit through that sectionis completely hroken hy the motor-man.

The invention also consists in providing a shunt resistance to themotor, to permr; the current to be continuously led to the sec ions,uulessthe circuit of the shunt resistance is broken by the motornizin.

The invention also consists iii other features of construction andcombination of} parts hereinafter" de scribed and claimed. 1 i

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which V Figure 1 is adiagram illustrating the invention as applied to a car controllingsystem, and Fig. 2 illustrates one of the details of the system.

,In Fig. 1, 1. indicates a sourceol current which is accompanying '45used to supply the current for operating the system;

2 indicates the main feed wire; 3 indicates the wire against which thet'rolleyor contact wheel 4 of the car is pressed in the manner wellknown in the art. The trolley wheel 4 iscarried by the car 5. The car 5has the usual form of the rheostet 6 for controlling the motor 7 of thecar. The circuit of the ear and the controlling devices is completedthrough the return conductor 8. This return conductor may he a secondtrolley or contact wire, or the tracks together with the earth may beused as a return of the electric current to the source of current I. t

The contact Wire 3 is divided into a plurality of contact. sections 9,10, and II. These contact sections are insulated from each other, sothat the current led to each contact section may he controlled by thedevices of that contact; section, and il' d'esirahle with other devicesin conjunction with the devices of that contact section. The current toeach of the contact sections is normally led through the electro-magnets12, I3 and 14. These magnets are of low resistance and allow 21sutlicieut current to pass to each of the contact sections to operatethe motor or other device ol' the car. When a car is in circuit with oneof the contact sections, the circuit is completed through the lowresistance electromagnets to the motor of the car and the returnconductor 8. The low resistance electrti-n'iagncts are conse quentlyenergized, and may he used for controlling the circuit. in the adjoiningor other contact sections, thereby controlling the cars that may he in'contact with the said other sections. a

The electro-niagnctsl2, l3 and 14 are connected to elcctro-magnetsassociated, with sections adjoining the sections of magnets l2, l3 and Il. The magnets located in the adjoining sections controlled hy the lowresist ance magnets corresponding to magnets-l2, I3 and 14 are indicatedby the numerals l5, l6 and I7. Each bored respectively Ill, and I9, 20,and 21, 22 and'Qil, which are connected to either the low resistancemagnot of the section preceding, or the section succeeding the sectionin which the double coil resistance magnet-is located. The coils are ineach case connected to the armature of the low resistance magnets, andthe-circuits through the coils iltC completed by the operation of thelow resistance magnets. In Fig. l the low resistance elcctro-ihagnet I3,completes the circuits of coil ll) of the electro-magnct 15, which islocated in the section preceding that of the section of theelectro-magnet 13. The electreqnagnet. 13 also completes the circuit ofthe coil *2 ol the clectiro-magnet l7, which is located in the sectionsucceeding the section of the eiectro-mzignet l3. Lit 'iseelcctro-magnet I2 completes the circuit of one 01' the coils of theelectro-magnet' oi the preceding section, which clcctro-maguetcorresponds to the electro- Inzi-gnct 15 of section 9. Electro-magnet l2likewise controls coil 20 of electro-magnet 16 of section 10. Alsoclcctro-msgnct 14 controls coil 21 of clectrodnagnet 1.6 of section l0,and also controls one of the coils of the electro-magnet oi thesucceeding sci-t ion, which magnet corresponds to theelectroqnagnetl7ofset-tion l I. (oil 18 of electro-magnet 15 is likewise controlled to:1 low resistance magnet-0f a preceding section. t'oil 21% isslsqcontrollcd by a low resistance magnet of :1 sucoi the magnets 15,lti and 17 have two coils mun-- ceeding section. Therefore, the lowresistance magnets oi the system associated with the contact sectionsmaybe used to control the circuits of the adjoining sections, so thatwhen a car is in contact with any of the sections of the system, theflow of current through the contact section to the return conductor willcause the low resistance magnets of that section to operate and completethe circuit of the double coil magnets. The coils of theeloctroanagnctsl5, l6 and 17 are all high resistance coils, which prevents shortcircuiting oi' the magnets 12, 13 and 14, the rhoostat and motor as thecars come in contact with the different contact sections. These doublecoil magnets may be used to control the amount of current fed to each ofthe contact sections. They may be so connected that when they areactuated they will change the normal connections of the contact systemsso as to connect the contact sections with the high resistance bodies,and thereby reduce the amount of current led to the said contactsections. The current may be reduced so to be insullicient to permit themotor of a car located in that section to be actuated it then, a carenters one of the contact sections when that contact section isconnected to the source of current through the high resistance body, thecar will stop, be cause of the lack of current to operate the motor.

. In order to change the quantity of current led to the contactsections, the low resistance electrounagnets 12. 13 and 14 are connectedto the back contact of the armatures of the magnets 15, 16 and 17respectively, whereby the magnets 15, iii and 17 when energized willbreak the normal connections through the low resistance magnets 12, 13and 14. At the same time that these normal con neetions are broken, thecircuits of the contactsections are completed through the highresistance bodies 24, 25 and 26, which are connected to the frontcontact of the magnets 15, 16 and 17. The high resistance bodies 24, 25and 26 are of suiticiently great resistance to prevent the operation ofthe electric motor of the car. So that, when two cars are located inadjoining sections, one of the cars will have its motor fed through thelow resistance magnet, while the other of the said cars will have itsmotor fed through the high resistance body. This will prevent anymovement of the last named car until after the other car has moved outof the adjoining section. I

It the car is located in sectionll, and another car is connected withthe contact section 10, the low resistancemagnet 14 will be energized bythe current passing through the motor of the car located in section 11.Foil 21 of electrounagnet 16 willalso have its circuit cornpleted by theoperation of electric-magnet 14, and the clectro-magnet 16 will breakthe normal circuit through the electro-magnot 13, and complete thecircuit through the resistance body 25, the circuit through theelectromagnet-will not be able to control a car that-may enter section9. In order to control the circuits of the sec tionsadjoining any two ofthe sections associated in the manner just described in connection withsections 10 and 11, I have made the resistance bodies 24, ZSand 26 tilin the form of magnets. Magnets 24, 25 and 26 are also T connected tothe double coil magnets of sections adjoining the sections of themagnets 24, 25 and 26.

When the magnets 24, 25 and 26 are energized their armatures makecontact with the front contacts, which are also connectedlo the doublecoil magnets of the sections adjoining the sections of the highresistance magnets 24, 25 and 26. Magnet 25 completes the circuit of oneoi the coils of each oi the double coil magnets oi the sectionsadjoining the section of the magnet '25. The circuit oi the coil 19 ofelectro-ma gnet i5 is completed by the operation of the electrounagnet25, as well as by the operation of magnet 13; The circuit ofcoil 22 ofelect1-o'-niagn'et 1 7 is also completed by the operation of theclectrounagnet 25. Likewise electromagnet. 24 conipl'etcs the ciriniitofo'nt-ibf the coils of the double coil magnet of the preceding section,and also coil 20 of the double coil 16 of the succeeding section-lO, andmagnet 26 completes the circuit oi coil 21 of the electro-n1agnct l6,and also one of the coils of the double coil magnet oi the succeedingsection. It then, a car enters a section adjoining the sections 10 and11, the circuits of the said adjoining sectioncorresponding to themagnets 24, 25 andl26, and the amount of current fed to the saidadjoining section will beinsuiiicient to cause the motor of the carsentering this section to operate, and the cars of the said adjoiningsection will stop.

In order to further protect the electric car system,

and to prevent the burning out of the contacts of the controllinginstruments of the different sections, a means is provided whereby thecar will not receive any increase current after the quantity is oncereduced by the controlling instruments, until motorinan breaks the ciicuit connections between the instruments of the con tact section and thereturn conductor. This is done by preventing the resetting; of theinstruments to their n0rmal condition until alter the circuit is brokenby the motorinan. When therefore electric cars are located in adjoiningsections, the quantity of current fed to one of the said cars will begreatly reduced. The car cannot proceed until after the niotorman ofthat car has completely broken the circuit through the car. This willprevent any collision between the cars.

To prevent the resetting of the instruments the magnets 24, 25 and 26are provided with additional arma cures which directly connect thesemagnets to their respective contact sections when the magnets areenorgized. These magnets being of high resistance, and being operatedonly when the current to the sections is to be reduced to such a degreethat the cars in contact with this section cannot proceed, thecnergization of these magnets will directly connect them with the con"tact sections, and short circuit the armature and the Trent contact ofthe double coil electro-inagnets 15, 16 'and l7. The current willtherefore pass through these magnets 24, 25 and 28, as long as the carremains in con tact with their respective contact sections, unless thecircuit through the car is broken by the inotorinan. When the circuit isbroken between the contact'sections and'the return conductor, theelectro-magiiets 24, 25 and 26 are dencrgized, which permits the currentto once more pass through the low resistance magnets l2, l3 and 14, andin a quantity sufficient to operate the motor and allo the car toproceed.

In the figure the loo/resistance magnets 12, i3 and 14 are connected tothe back contacts of one of the armatures' oi the magnets 24, 25 and26'. The circuits of the magnets 12, 13 and 14 are broken by theoperation oi the magnets 24, 25 and 26 as well as by the magnets 15,

v 16 and 17-. then the magnets 15, 16 and 17 become of current.

--contact section will also be reduced.

denergized the magnets 24, 25 and 26 will still control the circuit ofthe magnets l2, l3 and 14 until the circuit between the contact sectionand the return conductor is broken.

in order that a sutficient quantity of the current may pass through theinstruments of ills contact sections to operate them, there is provideda by-pass to the motor ol' the car. This by-pass has a resistance 27,sutliciently great to prevent short circuiting ol the motor and yet toallow the controlling instruments of the section to operate. This hy-pass or shunt may be connected to a contact 28, carried on therlieostat frame of the motor and circuit may be completed through thesegment 29 located upon the cylinder or rod 30, which is operated by themotorman. i lhe' operation of my invention is as follows: it a car isconnected to contact section 10 by means of the through the armature'olthe magnet 13 to coil 19 of the electro-magnet 15, the return conductor8 to the source A circuit is also completed from the main food wire 2,the armature of the electromagnet l8, coil 22 of electro-magnot 17, thereturn conductor 8, to the source of' current 1. Theelectro-magnets 15and 17 Will therefore operate upon their respective armatures and breakthe normal connection between the main iced wire 2, the low resistancemagnets 12 and 14, to

now, while car 5 is in contact with contact section 10,

a car makes Contact with either contact section 9 or ll, the current ledto that car will be insuflicient to permit the motor to be actuated, andthe car thus entering either of the adjoining sections will be compelledto stop. It a car enters section 9 while another car is in contact withcontact section 10, the flow ol the current to the Contact section 9.and through the car in' contact therewith, will energize electro-magnet24, which will operate its armature to break the connections between thelow resistance electro-magnet 12 and the main. feed wire 2, and willconnect one of the coils of the double coil magnet of the precedingsection with the main food Wire 2. This will in turn energize thedoublecoil electrodnagnetol' the preceding section and the high resistanceeloctro-magnet ol' that section will he also connected With the contactsection and with the main feed Wire, and the quantity ol' current led tothat 11' then a car enters the section preceding to section 9, the motorof the carwill become inoperative, and the car will be compelled tostop. The electro-nmgnet 24 also open I atesto directly connect the(amt-act section with i tselt',

so that, as soon as the car makes contact with contact section 9, thecurrentcontinues to flow through the high resistance magnet 2%, indcuendent of the armamagnet 24, until the electro-magnet 15 is deenergizedby the removal oi the car 5 out of contact with con tact section 1.0,and until the circuit between contact section 9 and the return conductor8 is broken.

l The operation ol' the system. is the same in the sections succeedingthe section in which car 5 is located; since the electro-magnet 13controls the double coil magnet of the succeeding sections in the sameway that it controls the double coil magnets oi the preceding sections.And the electro-magnet 26 controls the double coil electro maguet oi thesucceeding section in the same Way that the electro-magnet 24 controlsthe double coil magnet oi the preceding section. It will thus be seenthat the car will control the adjoining sections, so as to completelyprevent any collision between the cars ol' the system.

What I have just -'lescribed is the prclerable,lorm ol my invention, theiustrumentnlilies, however, may be greatly varied Without in any waydeparting from the spirit oi my invention. 'l'lnsame controllingmechanism. may be used for operating signals located either along thetract: of the car, or within the car, which would signal to the motormanthe presence of a car in an adjoining section.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. in anelectric car controlling; system. the combination ot a main foodconductor, comm t conductor having a plurality of contact sections, onelevtro-muu'nct normally connected to the said main teed conductor andto one of the said contact sections and through which the operatingcurrent is fed to the motor of the cur, and means controlled by the saidelectru-mug'uel tor controlliu; the amount of current ted to :1 sectionin front of the section to which the Slitl clectro-nmcnet is connected.as well us that fed to a section in the rear of snid section.

13. In an electric car controlling system. the combination of :1 mainteed conductor. :1 contact conductor having: a plurulity ot'rontncrsections, :1 plurality of low resistance eleclro-mucne s one for ouch sttiou ouch normally (011 nected to the said main feed conductor and to acontact section and through which the operuliuu' current is fed to themotor 01' the c and means controlled by the said tunce elect 'nets forcontrolling the amount of current fed \0 u section in from or thesections to which the said tdectro-ma gncts are'connocted, as we]! asthat ted to u so tion in the rear of said sections.

In an elect to car controlling system. the comb'uur tion of a main '[QEQconductor. a contact conductor having :1 plurality of contact sections.a low resistance body and a high resistance body connected to the saidmain teed conductor and each of the said sections. and menus con trolledby the said high resistance and the said low resistance body [orcontrollingtbe amount of current ted to each of the sections adjoiningthe section of the said high resistance body and the said low resistancebody.

1. in u czuficontrollinc' system the combination of :1 main feedconductor, a contact conductor having :1 plu rulity of contact sections,:1 controlling clectromugnct associated \Vilb each of aid sections forcontrolling the curren led from the s main conductor to the said contactconductor, a low res e electronmgnet odapted to receive motor cut itassociated with a section in front and another low tunce electronmgnetassociated with a section in the rear of each section with which thecontrolling electromue'net is associated, said low resist- :ineeelectron'mgneis being normally connected with said i 1 contactSBCL'lOllS and being arranged to control the controlling eleerronmgnet.

5. In an electric car controlling system. the combination or a main feedconductor. a contact conductor and :1 plurality of contact sections. uhigh resistance body and a low rcsi. nuce body connected to the sa idumjn l'c d coir (iuclor and each or the said contact sections, anelectromagnet: for controlling the circuit. through the said resistaucebodies and controlled by the said resistance bodies of each of the lionsadjoining the section of the said electro-nntgnet.

6. in an electric car controlling sys em, the combine tion of a mainfeed conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of contactsections, a return conductor. a high re tance Oitit'ii'ti liitl l'litli'and a low resistance magnet connectcd to the said main feed conductm'and cach of the said contact sections. an electro-tnagnct controlled bythe high rcsi tance magnet and the low resistance magnet of each of thetwo sections adjoining the section of the said electroanagnet and forcontrolling the circuit of the high resistance magnet and the lowresistance magnet of the sec l'ion ot the said electi'lrntztgnet.

7. In an electric car controlling system. the coutbina tion of a. mainteed conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of contactsections, a return conductor, a high resistance magnet and a low restanco magnet connected to the said ntain feed conductor and associatedWilli each of the said contact sections. a double coil magnet for corntrolling the circuits of the said high resistance magnet and the saidlow resistance magnet, the circuit of one of the said coils beingcontrolled by the low resistance magnet of each of the preceding:sections. and the other of the said coils b ing controlled by the lowresistance magnet oi each of the st ceding sections.

8. in an elecl'ttc car controlling system. the combination ol :1 mainfeed conductor, a contact conductor having a plurality oi contactsections a return conductor, a high resistance body and a low resistancebody connected to the said main food conductor and in a circuit witheach of tilt said contact sections, a double coil electrtPm-tgnet forcontrolling the "ircuit of each of the said resistance bodies.

ii. in an electric car controlling system. the combination of a mainteed conductor, a contact conductor having a plurality of contactsections, a return conductor. a high resistance body and a lowresistance body connected to the said main feed conductor and associatedwith each of the said sections, a double coiled electro-tnaanat forcontrolling the circuits of the said high resistance body and the saidlow resistance body, one at said coils boil controlied by the said lowresistance body oi the preceding section, and the other of the saidcoils being controlled by the low rcsistanco hody of each of thesucceeding;- sections.

10. in an electric car controlling system. the combination ot a mainfeed conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of. contactsections. a return conductor. a high 1- sistancc elcctro-magnei: and alow resistance ti it'ii'o-iiiit,.,- net connected tothe said rttaiut'eed conductor and associated with each of the contact sections, adouble coil eleci-i'thliiflgllei. for connecting" either the high resancc clerfi'o-ma a'ueti with the contact section or the low rcsisiauceriectroattncttct with the contact: section. int-ans sociaicd with theprcccdit'tgq' section for controlling the circuit of one of the saidcoils and means toilet! with lhc succe ding: sections lor controllinglihca'ircuit oi the other of the said coils.

il. in an electric car controlling; system. the comhina iiou of a mainfeed conductor, a coptart.couductor having a plurality of contactsections, a, return conductor. an elcriro-ntaguct associated with cactof the contact sections and means associated with each of the contactSet tions adjoining lhc section oi the said electt'oanaguet forcontrolling the amount of current flowing: to the said sec tion oi thesaid electro-magnet. and means associated with the said section oi thesaid clcctro-magnet for preventing; a chance in the amount. of currentthrough the said sect.lon until the circuit between the said sectionattd the return conductor is broken.

1;. in an electric car controlling system. the combination of a mainfood conductor, a contact cotuiuctor having a plurality oi contac'tsectiot a return conductor. a high resistance body and a low resistancebody connected with the said ntain feed conductor and associated witheach of the said sections, an eh rat-magnet for controlling the circultoi the said high resistance body and the said low resistance body andmeans associated with each ot the sections adjoining the section of thesaid high resistance body and the said low re .tunce body forcontrolling the said ciectromagnet, and means controlled bythe said highre sis-lance body for connectingthe said high resistance ibody directlyto its contact section independently of the said elect ro-tnagnel.

lit. in an electric car controlling system, the combination of a maintecd conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality oi contactsections, a returnconductor, a high resistance elect'roanagneli and Qlow resistance electromagnet connected to the said main lced wire andassoci- :tted with each of the s id contact sections, a double coileicctrontacnct i'or connecting either the high resistanceelcctroauagneegir the low resistance electt'o-tnagnet with the contactsection. one of the said coils being controlled by either the hie-itresistance eleetroanagnet or.the low re sistance clectro-ntagnet ofthe'preceding section, the other of the said coils being controlled byeither a high resistance clcctt'o-magnet or the low resistanceelectro-magnet of the succeeding section. an armature controlled by thesaid high resistance electro-magnet for connecting the said high re.stance electro-imtg'net to the contact section independently of the saiddouble coil electromagnet, whereby the flow of current through one ofthe said contact sections and the motor of the car to the returnconductor will control the amount of current fed to each of the sectionsadjoining the said section.

H. in an electric car controlling system, the contbination of a maint'eed' conduciorxa contact conductor having a plurality oi contactsections, a low resistance body and' a high resistance magnet connectedto the said main teed conductor and associated with each of the saidcontact sections. an actuating" means for operating the said car. a highresistance body in shunt with tiie sald actuating means. whereby asutiicient current is allowed to pass through the said high resistanceelectro-magnet' until time said shunt circuit is broken.

1?. in an electric car controlling cm, the combination of a main feedconductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of contact sections. areturn conductor. a low re-' si l'iilit't magnet. and a high resistancemagnet. means for connecting either of the said magnets to' each oi thesaid contact sections, a ntotor for operating tho'said car, a highresistance body in shunt with the said motor for al lowing suiticieutcurrent to pass through the said high rcsislauce elertro-ntaanet tocause said high resistance eleclro-utafanct to be operated iii. in anelectric car cout'rollit'tg system, the combina tion of a main teedconductor. a contact conductor having a plurality oi contact sections. alow resistance body connected to the d main feed conductor and to eachof the: contact sections. attd means controlled by the said low resistance body and associated with other of. the sections tltatt that ofthe low resistance body for controlling the amount oi 'curreut ted toeach of the said other sections.

ii. iii an electric car controlling system. the contiijnalion ot' atnain iced conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality oi contacts ctions. a low resi tance body and a high resistance body connected tothe said main feed conductor and each at the said sections. and meanscontrolled by the lid high resistance and the said low resistan e bodyfor controlling the amount of current fed to sections other titan thesection of the said high resistance hotly and the said low resistancebody.

is. in a car controlling system. the combination of a main teedconductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of contact sections.an electromagnet normally conported to the said main feed conductor andto one oi the said contact sections and through which the operatingcurrent is fed to the motor of the car. and means controlled by the saidelectrouutgtnct for controlling the amount of current fed to a sectionin front of and a section in the rear of the section to which the saidclectromngnet is con nccicd.

if). in an electric car controlling system, the combina tion of a mainfeed conductor. a contact conductor having a plurality of contactsections. an cieciroanagnet n0r-. ntaliy connected to the said tuainteed conductor and to one of the lid ntact sections and through whichthe op erating current fed to the motor of the car. and means controlledby the said eieclro-ntacnet iotnreducin; the atuouut of current ted toeach section adjacent to the sec tion to which the said electro-magnetis connected. I

:31). in a car controlling system, the combination of i1 ios main feedconductor, a contact conductor having a plurality of contact sections.'1 controlling electro-magnet associnted with each of saidsections forreducing the current fed from the said main conductor to the saidcontact conductor, p. low resistance elcctro-magnct adapted to receivemotor current associated with a section in front of and adjacent to thesection with which the controlling cle iir0- magnet is associated andanother low-resistant: elec romngnet associated with a section adjacentto n d in 'the rear otcach section with which thecontrollingelectromagnet is associated, said low resistance eiectro-mngnets being normally connected with 921k; contact sections andheinzhrranged to control the controlling eiectro-magnet.

15 man" ..;2 1. A In n cur controlling system, the combination of aed"conduc tor, ":1 contact conductor having'a plurality ofcontactsections, an electro-magnet normally connected to the said mninfeed conductor and to one of the said contact sections and through whichthe operating current is fed to the motor of the car, and meanscontrolled by the said electro-magnet for reducing the amount of current [ed ton section adjacent to and in front ofand a sec- .-t ionadjacent to and in the rear of the section to which the saidelcclro-magnet is connected.

In testimonywhereof, I have signed xny name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribin witnesses.

CHARLES 1-. nnnnsn.

